It is not surprising that electricity prices are an issue in the Ontario election campaign. It is an opportunity for healthy debate, and an opportunity to set the record straight.

No one can dispute the fact that hydro bills are rising. We all feel the pain.

But wiping out the structure of an entire green energy program, including all the positive work done over the years, because it is thought to be politically expedient is not only misguided but would be a huge setback for Ontario. The solar industry creates jobs, and provides opportunities for homeowners, local businesses, municipalities, farmers, and aboriginal communities (to name a few) to supply clean and emissions-free electricity to the electricity grid.

There are legitimate and unavoidable reasons why consumers are facing higher electricity bills. We have to cover costs of nuclear plant refurbishment, costs of new transmission and distribution infrastructure, costs of new peaking power plants coming into service, and yes, the introduction of newer sources such as solar energy. Increases in Ontario electricity prices were inevitable due to the need to update all aging infrastructure.

But while the cost of electricity from conventional energy sources continues to increase, the reality is that the production of solar energy has little to do with consumers’ electricity bills going up. A recent independent study by Power Advisory LLC and published by Environmental Defence, shows that solar represents less than 4 per cent of the average electricity bill today, growing to an estimated 6 per cent of the average electricity bill in 2024 when much more solar generation will be connected to the grid.

Investments in any energy source have upfront costs, but unlike other forms of generation, solar has very low ongoing costs – the fuel is free. Further, it is well known that the upfront costs of solar are falling at a remarkably fast pace.

There is also much discussion in the campaign about job creation. Reversing energy policies that allow for a solar industry that employs approximately 8,000 people and generates direct and indirect annual revenues of $2 billion, as suggested by some candidates, just doesn’t make any sense.

The benefits of solar energy can’t be overstated, and they are certainly worth the investment. It provides electricity during the day, periods of highest demand when the cost of electricity is most expensive. It is easily integrated into existing buildings and within communities. Basically, it’s energy where you need it, when you need it. There are good reasons why solar projects are now the most installed renewable electricity source in the world.

Even our neighbours to the south are embracing solar and the industry there is growing at a fast pace – a solar system is installed every four minutes. An International Energy Agency 2014 report indicates that globally, photovoltaics technology today “has become a major actor in the electricity sector in several countries. Globally, at least 160 billion kWh will be produced in 2014 by PV systems installed and commissioned until January 2014.”

Countries are taking advantage of a simple truth; initial government incentives create a stable industry, which creates more investment, which creates lower prices, which allows citizens the opportunity to control their energy costs and do something about the quality of their environment.

It is also true that Ontario’s electricity system has an adequate supply of electricity today. However, Ontario’s electricity planners and system operators tell us that we will need additional generation not too far into the future. We can’t afford to wait until we need the energy to find out where we’ll get it.

Ontario needs a variety of energy sources to work together to keep the lights on. Energy must be delivered to consumers when it is needed and each generation source has a role to play. When you take into account all the many benefits of solar power, it is clearly an efficient and environmentally effective energy source.

Using renewable energy as a scapegoat for our rising electricity costs is extremely short sighted. Blaming solar and wind for increasing hydro bills is misleading, and is clearly done solely for political gains. Continuing to do so will have drastic and negative affects on our province and indeed our country.

John Gorman is president and CEO of Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA). CanSIA is a national trade association that represents approximately 500 solar energy companies throughout Canada.

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